Our Nativity 2009

Sydney asked me if she could plan the Nativity this year. She did a great job! They made the stable out of card board and the star is a golden gift bow. Syd wanted to do it outside which added a really nice authenticity.

Here is the entire cast

Joseph and Mary (this combination cracks me up)

The three wise men (those white things are camels)

the inn-keeper

Angel (her wings are made of a silver pom pom)

Mary and a sheep (in a dog costume)

Christmas Eve Party

We had a fabulous time Christmas Eve with cousins and grandparents!

It started with a delicious dinner of tri-tip, salad, saute'd vegies, and garlic potatoes. Yummy! We acted out the nativity, went on a Christmas light savenger hunt, awarded the second annual Christmas light award to our favorite house, and had a gift exchange.

We missed the members of our family that couldn't make it but had a great time anyway!

For our gift exchange this year we decided to do something different.

Rob came up with the idea.

We drew names and then each person would think about what they would give that person if money was no object. Then we would give them a picture of it and explain why.

It turned out to be so much fun.

Marley got a puppy from Travis. (she's always dreamed of a puppy, really she gasped when she opened her envelope)

Lane got a camera from Marley (it is 3D, Marley made it out of paper and you can't see from the picture but Marley colored it to look like a real camera, there is even a view finder and place for a battery)

Emma got a date (when she turns 16) with one or both of the "New Moon" boys from Sydney.

(if you look close that is Emma's face where Bella's used to be)

Eliza got a rainbow Unicorn from Turner

Travis got a trip to the opening of the Harry Potter Amusement park from Lane.

Turner got a killer tree house tree house from Price.

Price got a really cool speed boat from Emma.

The most fun thing about this gift giving is that it seemed real.

Without the monetary restraints your mind could just think about the person and what they would really like.

That was the gift, the time you spent thinking about that person and what you could do to make them feel good.

Some other gifts that were given were;

a four day snowmobile trip in Yellowstone

a beach house

a fully outfitted garage

a guitar signed by all of the great guitar players

a custom suit

a Harley Davidson
a master bathroom

a wood shop

The spirit of giving was there and as you can see by the look on every one's face it really felt real. It didn't matter that you didn't get to take your unicorn home with you it just felt so good that someone took the time to figure out what you would like the best. I just love Christmas.

Conversations Overheard #14

Eliza: Pricey when we grow up you're going to marry me and I'm going to marry you.

Observations #2

When Marley sings "Angels We Have Heard On High" and she is coming to the end she sings

glo-ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-ri-a inexpensive mayo.

glo-ooooo-ooooo-ooooo-ri-a inexpensive may-aa-ooo.

:)

Conversations while doing hair #15

Eliza: I think I know who I am going to marry when I grow up.
Me: Oh yeah, who?
Eliza: Matthew... I think I better ask him what he wants to be when he grows up.

Christmas Cards

I know it is a little lait but I am putting together Christmas cards. We lost our addresses in the latest computer virus and if you didn't send me one I don't know your address. Please email me your address if you want a Christmas card.

As soon as possible please!

robethany2000@q.com

Thanks!

Braces

GONE!!!!

Sitting at the back of the Cafeteria...

Disclaimer: The following information is strictly from a mother's point of view. I am not sure if anyone else in attendance that day observed things just the way I did, but this is how I saw it.

...with the other parents, a mass of screaming and excited kids in front of me. Out of all these kids just a few would be recognized as the students of the month. The principal approached the front of the stage, and as he called out "active listening" the crowd fell silent. He began to disclose names of the lucky students. One by one the students of the month would apprehensively take the long walk to the front of the crowd to fist bump the principal and get their certificate, giant candy bar, and coupon for a free dinner at Chick-fil-a. You could see uncertainty in many of the kids faces and the principal made a little joke about how hard it was to stand in front of a large audience. Then he called Marley's name...

Marley and her friends, the Sierra's

Marley jumped up and with a confident air glided, bounced, and skipped her way to the front of the room. She stood proud and tall smiling and looking straight into the eyes of people around her and when they were all done she danced back to her seat high-fiving Mrs. H's entire class on the way.

As I watched my daughter walk with such confidence and fearlessness I thought,

"where did you come from? cause it wasn't from me."

Students of the Month

Marley's teacher said about her,

"Marley follows the golden rule by treating others with respect and kindness. She is caring towards classmates and is an encouraging friend. Marley is sensitive to others feelings and sincere. She treats others the way she would want to be treated. Marley is a good listener and always seems to know what to say to make someone feel better if they are having a hard day. Thanks Marley, for being a great role model in the classroom.

Price's teacher said about him,

Although I don't have the pleasure of teaching Price I do see him daily in homeroom. Price is always courteous, kind, and thoughtful to both peers and teachers; giving everyone he comes in contact with the respect they are due. He is a pleasure to have in class.

I secretly love it when they get it at the same time.

Random Conversations #33

While doing chores to earn money for Christmas presents

Lane: Mom, who knew helping could be so much fun?

Random Conversations #32

Eliza: I want a hug from a real Elf for Christmas
Me: Did you know that I am an elf on the side?
Lane: What?
Me: I'm an elf after you go to bed at night
Syd: Don't tell her Mom.
Marley: Mom used to be an elf then she drank something this guy wanted for Christmas, now she is half elf and half human and she is too tall to work in Santa's workshop.

Cranford

I am in LOVE with the BBC mini-series Cranford.

It is as good to me as the A&E version of Pride and Predjudice.

(which is saying a lot)

I also love the movie North and South. (the BBC mini-series, not the one with Patrick Swazye)

One of my favorite things is to turn on a one of those movies when I have something to do that will take a lot of time, like painting a room or making Christmas presents. I've seen them enough that I can just listen to them in the background and do my thing. And when a really good part is coming up I sit and enjoy.

If you are into those kinds of movies, and haven't seen one of them,

Merry Christmas, my gift to you!